Car-coupling



(No Model.)

J. MOGEHEE.

GAR GOUPLING.

138. P a'yted Aug. l l. 1885..

Illlllnnnmll UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE@ JOHN MCGEI-IEE, OF SHAWNEETOWN, ILLINOIS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION firming part of Letters Patent No. 324,138, dated August 11, 1885.

Application tiled March 3, 1885.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, J oHN McGEHEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Shawneetown, in the count-y of Gallatin and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Car-Couplings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to car-couplings; and it has for its object to provide a car-coupling which shall be automatic in its action, one that may be used with different heights of cars, and one that will be positive and effective in operation.

With these ends in view the invention consists in the improved construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a car-coupling embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section taken through the draw-bar. Fig. 8 is au enlarged detail view of the pivoted latch, the head-block and guide-plate detached, showing the draw-bar in position to engage the pivoted latch. Fig. 4 is a Vdetail view showing the manner of attaching the draw-bar and the spring for supporting the same in a horizontal position.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the iigures, A represents the rdraw-head, having keyed at its rear end a wrought-metal bar, B, having mounted there-1 von a spiral spring, c, bearing against the rear end of the draw-head at one end, and against a key, b, at the rear end of the bar B at its other end, the said bar B being adapted to be mounted in a frame-work. upon the under side of a carin the usual well-known manner.

The draw-head A is divided into two conipartments, C C, by a partition-wall, D, cast integral with the draw-head, and said partition-wall is provided vat its forward end with a horizontal slot, c, and with a vertical passage or opening, d. It will thus be seen that when necessary the draw-head may be used in connection with the ordinary form of coupling, the link iitting in the slot c and the pin in the vertical passage d.

The compartment C is open on its upper (No model.)

side, and in said compartment is located a Adraw-bar, D', which is provided at its forward end with a head, e, having an opening, e'. Near the rear end of the draw-bar is provided a horizontally disposed elongated slot, e2, through which passes a bar, e3, the ends of which are fitted in the partition-wall and the outer wall of said compartment. Fitting an opening in the rear wall, D2, of compartment O is a rod, D3, the rear end of which is provided with a hole or opening, through which passes a pin, d2, in rear of the end wall, thus preventing the said rod from being detached by forward draft. At the forward end of the rod D3 is provided a head, D4, having a concave face, d", and fitted upon said rod is a spiral spring, d5, which bears against the rear wall, D2, at one end, and against the rear side of the head D4 at its other end, the concave face of the draw-bar. It will be seen that by prolviding this sliding spring-actuated rod and locating the same to bear against the rear end of the draw-bar the same will be pushed forwardly by said spring-actuated rod the length of the elongated slot therein, and will be held in such position.

In the bottom of compartment C, near the forward end thereof, is provided a hole or opening, c, in which is located a rod, c5, carrying at its upper end a plate, c, upon which rests the draw-bar. A spiral spring, E3, is located upon said rod, and bears against the under side of the plate c at one end and against the bottom of the compartment at its other end. The end of said rod'eXtends through the opening e4, and is provided near its lower end with an opening, in which is fitted akey, e7, for preventing the detachment of said rod.

In the compartment C', which is provided with au inclined bottom, as shown, is provided a latch, E, which is pivoted upon ashaft having bearing in the partition-wall at one end, and in the outer Wall ofthe draw-head at its other end. The said latch E is provided at its rear end with a weighted extension, E', and with a downwardly extending curved wing, El, against which the end-of the drawbar strikes when the cars are being coupled. The front end of said pivoted catch is provided with a ledge, E", upon which is adapted to t the end of a headblock, F, having a recess to receive the ledge. The head-block F is pivoted near its upper end between the side of a box or casing, G, formed with the draw-head, but mounted above the same andhaving communication therewith, and its lower end is provided with a weighted extension, F', which serves to hold the front end of the pivoted catch in place when the cars are coupled.

Upon the bottom ot' compartment C is arranged a guide-cleat, H, which is formed with a raised portion, f', and `just in rear of said raised portion with a seat, f2, in which the end of the draw-barits, said guide-cleat serving to hold the draw-barili place and guide it in its movement to the catch.

Upon the front of the car are provided brackets h', in which is journaled a shaft, h3, carrying an arm, h4, which is connected with the upper end ofa head-block by a chain, r". One end of the shaft extends beyond the side of the oar, and is provided with an operatinglever, j, which is adapted to engage a catch, lr, on the side of the car, when it is desired to hold the head-block in a raised position.

The operation is as follows: The draw-bar of the adjacent car enters the compartment C', and strikes the,downwardly-exiending wing of thepivoted catch and lowers the same, said catch being held in such position by means of the head-block. To uncouple the cars the lever on the end of the shaft h3 is turned,which raises the head-block, and as the pivoted catch is weighted at its rear end it drops by gravity from engagement with the drawbar, which may then be withdrawn. l

rIhe spring on the rear end of the drawbar serves to prevent all jarring, and also prevents said draw-bar from being broken.

As the draw-bar is pivoted by means of a bar or rod passing through an elongated slot therein, it will be observed that cars of different heights may be coupled.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Leiters Patent, is-

1. l'he combination, with a draw-head, of the pivotcd latch E, having the weighted arm i" and the wing or abutment E, against which the coupling-link or draw-bar strikes, and the pivoted head-block F, adapted to swing over the head of the latch and lock the same to secure the draw-bar or link7 substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a draw-head, of the pivoted latch E, having the weighted arm E and the wing or abutment E2, against which the coupling-link or draw-bar strikes, the pivoted head-block F, adapted to swing over the head of the latch and lock the same to secure the draw-bar or link, and means for tilting the headblock to release the latch and cause the latter to release the draw-bar or link, substantiallyV as described.

3. The combination, with the draw -head having guidingcleat H, provided with the raised portion f and seat f2, of the pivoted latch for engaging with the draw-bar or link, and the head block for securing the latch in a locked position to retain thedraw-bar or link, substantially as described.

4. The draw-head having the compartments C and C', a draw-bar or link secured in compartment C, the pivoted latch E, having the weighted end E', and the wing or abutment E2, against which the draw-bar orl link of the adjacent car strikes, and the head-block F, for securing the latch in a locked position, the latch andhead-block being located in compartment C', substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aiiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN MCGEHEE.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS ELLIS CALLico'r'r, THOMAS S. RIDGWAY. 

